The charm of this week’s Bones was its return to everyday routine, even more so than the previous episode which still dealt with the emotional fallout from Sweets’ death. The show begins with young Christine refusing to eat her breakfast, while Booth and Brennan try to reason with her. It seems Christine is taking after her mother, as in response to Booth’s plea that “if you want to be a big girl, you’ve got to eat your breakfast” she responds with “Mummy says size is determined genetically.” Booth and Brennan then debate about what kind of school she should attend. It’s sweet to see the two in parent mode, and how the three of them function as a family.
The crime this week wasn’t particularly engaging, focusing on the world of video games, though it does allow for some fun moments among the team, including dropping a dummy body into a pool in the lab; an experiment even Angela and Cam can’t resist getting in on. Jessica Warren (Laura Spencer) is an amusing intern, bringing a bubbly personality into the lab, and her ‘gut feelings’, which never fail to annoy Brennan. This week we also learn that she grew up in an ‘educational cooperative’ which is now falling apart. Hodgins and Brennan are fascinated, and it opens Brennan’s mind about the kind of school Christine could attend.
Agent Aubrey is quickly becoming an indispensable part of the team, his quirky humour and charm making for some light relief and a nice foil to Booth in serious mode. When the two of them visit the headquarters of the gaming company his excitement is funny to watch. He and Booth also enjoy taking down a game fighter with some real FBI moves, it’s a bit of a bonding moment. Angela and Brennan also get time to sit down and talk while their kids play at the park, reminding us of the strength of their friendship.
The murder is eventually solved, but to be honest it doesn’t feel like the focus of the episode. It merely serves as a vehicle for showcasing the personalities and development of these characters that we have grown to love over the seasons.
Review Score: THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
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